Gerald (Dutch) W. Grove, 82, of rural Spring Mills, died Friday, May 8, 2009, at the home of his daughter, Bonita M. Whitehill, at rural Spring Mills.
He was born September 4, 1926, at Spring Mills, a son of the late Thomas R. and Marian Bible Grove
He married Bernice M. Confer August 29, 1948, who survives at home.
Gerald graduated from Gregg Township Vocational High School in 1945.
He worked for PeRo Ice Cream Company, Penn Line Company, Bartlett Tree Service, Centre County Canning Company, and retired on disability from C-Cor Electronics in 1975.
Mr. Grove was a member of St. John's Union Church in Farmers Mills, where earlier in life he served as a Deacon and Elder with the United Church of Christ. He enjoyed camping, traveling, playing the guitar when he was able, and working on small engines.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter Bonita M. Whitehill and her husband Daniel of rural Spring Mills; two sons, Ronald K. Grove and his wife Bonnie of rural Spring Mills, Donald A. Grove and his wife Teresa of rural Centre Hall; four grandchildren, Jesse and Seth Grove and Nathan and Matthew Whitehill; five great grandchildren; three sisters, Lois Rearick and her husband Lewis, Jean Rishel and her husband Dean and Bernice Snyder all of Spring Mills; two brothers, Mylan E. Grove and his wife Florence (Patty) of Spring Mills, and Harold F. Grove and his wife Karen of McKean.
Two brothers, James and Wayne Grove preceded him in death, in addition to his parents.
Friends will be received from 6 - 8 p. m. Monday, May 11, 2009 at Mark D. Heintzelman Funeral and Cremation Service, 226 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Centre Hall, PA.. The Funeral will be at 10:30 a. m. Tuesday, May 12, 2009, at St. John's Union Church, in Farmers Mills with the Reverend Michael Smith and the Reverend Ben Haupt officiating. Burial will be in St. John's Union Cemetery in Farmers Mills.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to St. John's United Church of Christ, C/0 Teresa Grove, 2661 Earlystown Road, Centre Hall, PA 16828; or to Centre Home Care and Hospice, 2437 Commercial Blvd. Suite 6, State College, PA 16801
A guest book can be signed or condolences sent to the family at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com